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As one of the longest standing National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) chapters in the country, Bethel Parks and Recreation (Conn.) understands the value of volunteer coaches training. That is why when they became affiliated with American Youth Football (AYF) five years ago, they immediately made it mandatory that all football and cheerleading coaches receive proper training and education before stepping onto the field.
“We’ve been affiliated with NYSCA since 1986. All our youth programs that we co-sponsor, or who use our facilities, are playing in a fun and safe environment, so it’s been a real great fit for us,” said Eileen Earle, director of Bethel Parks and Recreation.
Since NYSCA training was always so successful with all of Bethel’s sports programs, it was only natural that when they become affiliated with AYF that all football coaches be trained and certified as well.
“With AYF they seem to be making the teams balanced, and with the coaching certification it keeps them on track in a positive manner,” Earle said.
The AYF program in Bethel provides organized football and cheerleading for more than 425 children. With a group this large, Bethel Parks and Recreation wanted to make sure that all children were in good hands – which is why they use NYSCA training.
“The most important aspect of the training is the philosophy that is communicated. It reminds them that this is not the pros, that these are children,” Earle said. “Plus, I like the support of the code of ethics.”
The NYSCA Code of Ethics must be recited and signed by all coaches before assuming coaching duties. The Ethics reflect the philosophies and beliefs of NAYS and are intended to promote youth sports as a positive, safe and participatory activity for all children. The goal of NAYS’ volunteer training programs is to ensure that the adults involved are aware of their roles and responsibilities and that they maintain proper perspective at all times.
“I think that without NAYS we would have a lot more overzealous parents and coaches that would be forgetting that these are 9- and 10-year-old kids,” Earle said.
A youth sports environment can be an emotionally charged atmosphere, especially so with football, which is why it is imperative that adults be held accountable at all times. NYSCA training properly prepares coaches for how to react during those moments.
Not only are Bethel’s AYF coaches getting advanced training and education on how to work with kids, they are also receiving top-notch tips on various football skills and drills. Typical NYSCA training consists of watching a 90-minute video on general aspects of coaching youth sports, followed by a 60-minute sport specific video that helps coaches with the Xs and Os.
“The sport specific portion gives them a great chance to learn about the sport they’re coaching,” Earle said.
Although traditional NYSCA clinics are held in classroom-like settings, Earle allows her coaches to utilize NYSCA’s convenient online clinics. Even though Bethel’s AYF coaches can attend their initial training online, Earle still holds an annual coaches meeting where she reinforces the NYSCA Code of Ethics.
For the past five years NYSCA training has greatly enriched Bethel’s AYF program by helping to train responsible and qualified volunteer coaches – just as it has all their youth sports leagues. For this reason, Earle is a firm believer that such training and education is a perfect fit for any AYF affiliate looking to offer top quality youth football and cheerleading.
“It wouldn’t be extra work because you have all the services online,” she said. “Plus, the positive experience that kids will receive makes any extra work you have to do worth it.”
